THE DEAL
1200 Words
“What?” Vivian looked around the park and back again at Marcus with a puzzled expression on her face.
The sound of her beating heart was the only thing that broke the deep silence of the surrounding park. Out of all the things she was expecting Marcus to say, a business proposal was not one of them.
"Why does he want me as a business partner?" Vivian thought. She had expected him to order her to stay or to even threaten her. What she had not expected was him proposing for them to become business partners.
"I want to be your business partner, Vivian." Marcus smiled. The puzzled look on Vivian’s face made him grin,
Vivian exhaled and squared her shoulders. She was beginning to suspect that Marcus was toying with her emotions.
"Why the hell would I believe you, and why would I even accept your deal?" Vivian asked through gritted teeth.
"I like you, Vivian. I like the way you think and the way you act." Marcus took multiple steps forward, only stopping when he could directly look down into Vivian's eyes. “And that is why I would be completely honest with you. You have no choice in this.”
"Of course, I have a choice. I always have a choice." Vivian scoffed. She was visibly irritated. But she still chose to look up and meet Marcus' gaze.
"Then leave," Marcus replied with a smile, “Walk to your mom's car right now and drive off. I guarantee you that you will not survive the night.”
"Are you threatening me, Marcus?" Vivian crossed her arms, her face fixed in a snarl, her mind rattled. She was scared now, but she refused to show it.
"Of course not Vivian. Why would I threaten you?" Marcus asked with a smirk on his face, “You think Lucien Drake is just going to allow you to live your life after the explosion that killed his men? Do you really believe that he does not have you in his sights now?”
Vivian released her arms and allowed herself a sigh. The more he spoke, the more she realized that she was stuck in a bind, and the only way out seemed to be through Marcus.
"How are we even going to work together?" Vivian asked. She took a glance at her mom who was still sitting in the car but was watching both Vivian and Marcus with curiosity in her eyes.
"Lucien wants you dead. I need you alive, so I am going to make sure you stay that way." Marcus replied. He followed Vivian's gaze and smiled when he saw the worried gaze of her mom.
"Are you going to make me a prisoner?” Vivian asked. Fear was beginning to rise up in her as she tried to come to terms with the fact that she had just accepted to work with a mafia lord.
"No, I am not going to turn you into a prisoner,” Marcus answered with a huge grin. “I am going to turn you into someone that even Lucien Drake would fear.”
Vivian pursed her lips as her heart raced and shock ran down her spine, “And what if I refuse your offer?”
"Feel free to leave Vivian.” Marcus shrugged, “Like I said, you are free to leave whenever you want to. Just know that your death would be basically guaranteed.”
Vivian stopped, sighed and raised her hand to tuck one of her hair between her ears.
"Okay fine,” Vivian answered as she raised her eyes up to meet the stale eyes of Marcus.
"What do I need to do?” She asked with a sigh,
"Sit.” Marcus ordered. Even though Vivian tried to hide her nervousness, Marcus could sense it. He turned around and walked back towards the park bench.
Marcus smirked when he saw the fiery gaze that Vivian had. He could tell that she was about to say something back. But she eventually held back her emotions, a fact that actually impressed him.
The more he spoke to Vivian, the more he realized that she was perfect for his plan. Even though she did not know it yet, he actually needed her more than she needed him. Vivian did not know exactly how valuable she was and that was what he was banking on.
"My full name is Marcus Smoak,” Marcus said the moment Vivian walked back to the bench and sat down.
"Okay?” Vivian asked, puzzled. She could tell that he was somehow expecting her to recognize the name.
Is 'Smoke' his surname or what?
"I am the CEO of Smoak Industries,” Marcus answered with a smirk,
"The Smoak Industries?” With puzzled eyes, Vivian took a long glance at Marcus and tried to see if she could recognize him.
"That's not true, the CEO of Smoak Industries is a woman,” Vivian shook her head in disbelief.
Smoak Industries is the largest tech company on the planet. They are literally worth trillions. It had always been Vivian's dream to work with the company, but no matter what she did, she had never been able to catch the eyes of the C.E.O. or any of the board members, no matter how hard she tried.
”No it isn’t. Sylvia is my younger sister. She is not the C.E.O. I am.”
“No, that could not be true,” Vivian thought. “Smoak industries are one of the largest corporations on the planet. How the hell would their C.E.O be a mafia lord?”
“I don’t understand. Why all the secrecy?” Vivian asked,
“Because I like to stay hidden.” Marcus replied, a smile beginning to form on the corner of his lips, “What do you think about an acquisition deal for your company?”
“Definitely not.” Rage built up in Vivian at the thought of selling away her fashion design company, “Viv innovations is my baby, I will not sell it for the world.”
“No, I don’t want your fledgling company, Vivian,” Marcus answered with a chuckle, his eyes twinkling with mischief, ”But my company acquiring yours would be the best way for me to be able to protect you.”
Vivian could hear the sincerity in his words, but the mere thought of selling her company brought pain to her heart.
“What is more important to you, Vivian?” Marcus asked, his eyes narrowing slightly. He could tell that Vivian was struggling to accept his offer because of her love for her company. “Your company or your life?”
Vivian looked up to face Marcus, her gaze hardening, her pupils narrowing. She needed to do this and she knew it deep in her heart
Vivian exhaled sharply, her eyes narrowed in contemplation, her fists clenched as she thought about Marcus’ proposal,
“Your answer Vivian, Now.” Marcus ordered, bringing her out of her thoughts,
Vivian looked up at him, her pulse racing as she locked eyes with Marcus. She nodded, sealing her fate and binding her to Marcus forever.
- Writer
